Fibronectin-fibrin cross-linking: A regulator of cell behavior

At sites of tissue injury or inflammation, extravasation of plasma proteins leads to the formation of a complex fibrillar matrix composed primarily of fibrin and plasma fibronectin (pFN). This protein meshwork serves not only to reestablish the integrity of the vascular system but also to provide a scaffold for cell migration and subsequent wound repair The interactions be tween cell surface receptors and this provisional extracellular matrix (ECM ) provide important cues that can modulate the cellular response at the inj ury site, leading to alterations in cell growth and gene expression. Key de terminants of this response may lie in the structure and composition of thi s "injury-associated" ECM. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1998;8:357-3621) (C) 1998 , Elsevier Science Inc.